The old Gardener’s Cottage, situated in the heart of the gardens surrounding Newstead Abbey, once the home of the Romantic poet Lord Byron, is to be restored so that it can be hired by holiday makers visiting Nottinghamshire.

Built in the 1860s by the Webb family and positioned just a few minutes’ walk from the Abbey itself, the cottage is nestled amongst mature trees and shrubs and overlooks the original Rose Garden. It is a Grade II Listed Building and is being sensitively renovated to a high standard. Many of the building’s original features, including the wooden floorboards and the beautiful stone mullion windows, will be retained. The interior design will be to a high specification, taking some influence from the interior of Newstead House and Abbey and will feature historical photographs and framed reproductions of information from the Abbey’s archives such as housekeeping records.

The cottage has been empty and unused for over 20 years which has left the property in need of repair and refurbishment. Once complete, the renovated cottage will provide a wonderful holiday/short stay opportunity for visitors to the Abbey and surrounding areas of Nottinghamshire, as well as offering pre and post ceremony accommodation for happy couples who get married at Newstead Abbey. Income from hire of the cottage will support the sustainability of the Abbey, house and grounds for future generations.

The cottage will sleep up to six people, offering two double bedrooms (and a sofa bed in the dining room) with hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and separate utility room. The bathroom will have a separate double shower cubicle and bath, and the kitchen and utility will be fitted with dishwasher and washer/dryer along with cooker and fridge/freezer.

The cottage benefits from its own private walled courtyard, perfect for sitting out on lazy summer afternoons and relaxing with a glass of wine after a busy day sightseeing.

Construction work has started and it is anticipated that the cottage will be fully decorated, furnished and available to hire around the end October 2015.

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “The newly renovated Gardener’s Cottage at Newstead Abbey will offer a unique opportunity for visitors and holiday makers to enjoy a break in Byron’s backyard. I’m pleased that we are able to restore this building so it can be used again, and help to generate income from hire which can be reinvested into the upkeep of Newstead Abbey.”

For more information, please visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/gardenerscottage